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Suzy Johnston - Mental Health Adviser
Suzy Johnstone writes and lectures on mental illness/mental health. She was a Brownie in Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire."Life throws difficulties at us all - it will be how we deal with these difficulties that determines how we all turn out."
My favourite place is St Andrews where I spent five years a student and I learnt so much during that time academically, socially and personally. Like most people I certainly didn't expect that I would a) become Prime Minister or b) I would develop a mental illness. In my case the b) happened.
As I developed the symptoms of bipolar disorder, I would really find out who my true friends were and they remain loyal and trusted friends today.
There are many misconceptions about mental illness. Very few people are a danger to others - the risk is that they are far more likely to be a danger to themselves. For many people a period of mental illness/distress is liable to be an isolated incident - a one off event.
When you say 'physical health' you tend to view the person as being ill, getting better and going on to fully recover. Mental illness is not seen by people in the same way so we need to increase awareness AND acceptance.
Amazingly, 1 in 4 will have a period of mental ill health which means that everyone will know someone affected by it so it is vital that we are more open and accepting. Just doing that alone would make it so much easier for people to seek help and get support from others be they family, friends or colleagues.
I have learnt a lot about my strengths and my weaknesses, the value of friendship, family and how important it is for me to express myself better.
I discovered that resorting to self induced vomiting as a self punishment for what as I perceived as my failings was not productive just as self harming when severely depressed in order to feel alive was also not positive.
Just as I did, a vast number of people self harm - there is no need to be ashamed or secretive - it is recognised as a coping mechanism and with the right help it can be managed and I would recommend talking about it to a responsible person you trust.
I have learnt that with my condition that if I think I am becoming unwell, I need help and seek it ASAP. This is not a weakness or failing on my part but a recognition of my needs and that of my mental health and I am proud of that.
I hope that I view life with a more positive slant than I used to: I have learnt that good health is something to be celebrated and nurtured - be it physical or mental.
I do not know where I would be today if it were not for my professional team (GP, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Psychiatrist). They along - with my friends and family - help me to keep as well as possible.
I am in the minority who has a long term mental health challenge and so I need regular treatment and counselling to manage it. My condition is a part of my life and, yes - contrary to what many people may expect - my life is normal, successful and fulfilling.
There is depression and then there is depression It is normal to be depressed following, say, a bereavement or bad news. But it is when that depression inhibits or restricts your life for more than a few weeks it should cause concern.
It is a depression that is not just about feeling sad or down - it is about being void of all emotion, feeling numb and hugely isolated. It could be about being unable to function in a normal manner. It is also being unable to share in other people's positive emotions - adding to the isolation.
If in a depressive episode it is important to try and remember that 'this will pass' and that 'you are not alone'. Just as we all have physical health so we have mental health, but we tend not to appreciate that.
It is important to keep our mental health well too - live as healthy as possible, eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, avoid excessive amounts of alcohol and illegal drugs, keep in touch with your friends and see your GP if you don't feel things are right.
If mentally unwell or distressed it is important to seek help as soon as possible as that will help greatly in getting things sorted quickly. Even something as simple as being really stressed can be a trigger - so care of your everyday lifestyle is important and getting your priorities right can be crucial.
Life throws difficulties at us all - it will be how we deal with these difficulties that determines how we all turn out.
Raising awareness of mental illness, self-harm and the social issues affecting the young of today through her music with the band Bad Alice. For further info please visit www.badalicemusic.com. Girlguiding Scotland is not responsible for the content of external sites.
To find out more about Mental Health please see
www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk
www.wellscotland.info
To find out more about Suzy please see www.thecairn.com
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